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ELECTRICITY

POWERPOINT SLIDESHOW
Grade 9 Science

ELECTRICAL PRINCIPLES
& TECHNOLOGIES

Supporting Science Textbook Content while enriching the Learning Process in Junior High/Middle School
ELECTRICITY
Concept Map

Shows the concepts


covered
within the framework
of this unit

Electrical Principles
&
Technologies

Grade 9
ELECTRICITY OUTLINE

Slides Key Concept Categories Slides Key Concept Categories


Law of Conservation of
4-6 Static Electricity 35
Energy
7-8 Current Electricity 36 - 38 Efficiency
9 - 12 Electrical Safety 39 - 42 Electrical Energy Sources
Electric Energy Alternative
13 - 16 Electrical Energy 43
Sources
Electrochemical Processes Energy and The
17 - 18 44 - 45
and Applications Environment
19 Energy Forms 46 Sustainability
20 - 23 Energy Conversions 47 - 50 Electrical Technologies
24 Conductors and Insulators
25 Resistance
26 Modeling Electricity
27 Measuring Electricity
28 - 29 Electric Circuits
30 - 31 Electric Motors
Electricity
32
Transformations
33 - 34 Electric Power
STATIC ELECTRICITY
Static Electricity
When you get 'shocked', or see a 'spark',
you are experiencing the same electrical
effect that makes lightning.

Most objects have the same number of positive


(proton) and negative (electron)
charges.
This makes them neutral (no charge).

Static electricity happens when there is an


imbalance of electrons (which have negative
charges). When there is a difference in the electrical
charge, certain actions are predictable.
The Laws of Electrical Charges
STATIC ELECTRICITY
Charge separation occurs, when a charged object is
brought close to a neutral object. The charged
electrons repel the electrons in the neutral
object and the charged object is then attracted to
the protons of the neutral object

(example a balloon sticks to a wall after it is rubbed over your hair)

Electrical Discharge is the movement of


charges whenever an imbalance of charges
occurs. The action results in neutralizing the
objects. The over-charged electrons repel the
electrons in the object and the
positive protons attract the charged electrons
causing a discharge or
'miniature lightning bolt'.
STATIC ELECTRICITY

Van de Graaff Generators (VDG)

These generators build up an excess of static charge using


friction. A rubber belt rubs a piece of metal and transfers the
charge to a sphere. When you touch the sphere the charge builds
up on you.

Certain animals like the can produce electric shock, to


kill or stun prey. They have a special organ that contains specialized
muscle cells called electroplaques. Each cell produces a small amount of
electricity. When all the cells work together, a large amount of electricity
is produce and used to help the eel survive. This type of electricity is like
static electricity, which builds up and then discharges. It does not flow
continuously.
CURRENT ELECTRICITY
Electrical devices need a steady flow of electricity. The steady flow of
charged particles is called electrical current. The flow continues until
the energy source is used up, or disconnected.

Amperes - The rate at which an electrical current flows is measured in


amperes (A). This flow varies from a fraction of an ampere to many
thousands of amperes, depending on the device. Conductors are used to
allow the flow of electrical charges from where they are produced to
where they are needed. These conductors are materials (often wires),
which allow the flow of electrical charges easily.

Circuits - A circuit is a pathway that allows the flow of electricity. Most


electrical circuits use wires (as conductors), although others may use
gases, other fluids or materials.

A circuit consists of a conductor, an energy source, a load and often a


switch (to control the flow).
CURRENT ELECTRICITY
Electrical energy is the energy carried by charged particles.
Voltage is a measure of how much electrical energy each charged
particle carries. The higher the energy of each charged particle, the
greater the potential energy. Also called 'potential difference', the energy
delivered by a flow of charged particles is equal to the voltage times the
number of particles. Voltage units are volts (V), and for safety purposes,
the voltage of most everyday devices we commonly use is relatively low,
while industries and transmission lines are relatively high.

Measuring Voltage
The simplest way to measure voltage is with a voltmeter.
[red to positive (+) black to negative (-)]
Some voltmeters can measure a wide range of voltages.

These multi-meters should be used with caution, so that the sensitive


needle is not damaged (by testing a low range with high
voltage).
Measuring Voltage with Computers - A voltmeter can
also be hooked up to a computer. Hook-up the red and
black lead in the same way as you would for a
voltmeter.
ELECTRICAL SAFETY
Coming in contact with a power transmission line can prove to be
deadly. By touching it, a short circuit can occur, because the
electricity is trying to find a path to the ground - you can complete
the circuit, and it may be fatal.

Electrical Shock
High voltage power lines carry 50,000V of electricity. However,
amperage is more important to consider. 0.001A will likely not be felt
at all, 0.015A to 0.020A will cause a painful shock and loss of muscle
control (which means you will not be able to let go of the line). Current as
low as 0.1A can be fatal. Electrical Dangers vary, depending on the
situation. When the current can flow easily, it is more dangerous. Insulators
(such as wood, rubber and air) hamper the flow of electricity.

A lightning strike can have 30,000A - more than enough to kill you. Lightning
can also do a lot of damage to a building. Metal lightning rods that are
connected to the ground with a grounding wire are fixed on the roof of many
buildings to prevent damage to the building during an electrical storm.

The Canadian Standards Council issues labels


to identify the amount of voltage required to operate
electrical devices and the maximum current they use.
ELECTRICAL SAFETY
Electrical Safety Reminders ...

Never handle electrical devices if you are wet or near water. Moisture is
a good conductor of electricity, so avoid water when working with
electricity
Don't use devices that have a frayed or exposed power cord and pull
on the electrical plug, not the cord
Always unplug an electrical device before disassembling it
Don't put anything into an electrical outlet - except a proper plug for an
electrical device
Don't overload an electrical circuit, by trying to operate too many
devices at once
Avoid power lines
Never remove the third prong from a 3 prong plug
Avoid being the target of a lightning strike, by staying low to the
ground (horizon) and away from trees
Don't bypass safety precautions when you are in a hurry
ELECTRICAL SAFETY
Plugs, Fuses and Breakers

The third prong of a 3 prong plug ( ) is a ground wire, connected


to the ground wire of the building, in case of a short circuit.

Fuses ( ) and circuit breakers ( ) interrupt a circuit


when there is too much current flowing through it.

Fuses contain a thin piece of metal designed to melt if the current is too
high. Circuit breakers, on the other hand, trip a spring mechanism, which
shuts off the flow of electricity through the circuit, when there is too much
current.

Circuit breakers can be reused over and over (provided the cause of the
increased flow is corrected).
ELECTRICAL SAFETY
Examples of a 20A circuit what load it can take, and what happens when it
overloads.
ELECTRICAL ENERGY
Cells and Batteries
An electrochemical cell supplies a steady current. It is a collection of
chemicals designed to produce small amounts of electricity. The electricity
comes from chemical reactions within the cell.

Dry Cells
The electricity-producing cells, which are referred to as batteries, are
called dry cells. They are 'dry' because the chemicals used are in a paste.
The chemical reaction in a cell releases free electrons, which travel from
the negative terminal of the cell, through the device, which uses the
electricity, and back to the positive terminal of the cell. The dry cell is
made up of two different metals, called electrodes in an electrolyte. An
electrolyte is a paste or liquid that conducts electricity because it contains
chemicals that form ions. An ion is an atom or group of atoms that has
become electrically charged through the loss or gain of electrons from one
atom to another. The electrolyte reacts with the electrodes, making one
electrode positive and the other negative. These electrodes are connected
to the terminals.
ELECTRICAL ENERGY
Wet Cells
Wet cells are 'wet' because the electrolyte is a liquid (usually an acid).
Each electrode (zinc and copper) reacts differently in the electrolyte.
The acidic electrolyte eats away the zinc electrode, leaving behind
electrons that give it a negative charge. The copper electrode is positive,
but it is not eaten away. Electrons travel from the negative terminal
(attached to the zinc electrode) through the device and on to the
positive terminal (attached to the copper electrode). Connecting 2
or more cells together creates a battery, which is a sealed case with
only two terminals.

A car battery is made up of 6 wet cells.

Each battery has 6 lead-acid wet cells containing alternating positive and
negative metal plated electrodes in a sulfuric acid electrolyte.
ELECTRICAL ENERGY
Batteries - Dry cells and wet cells are called primary cells. The chemical
reactions, which produce the electricity, cannot be reversed.

Rechargeable Batteries - In a rechargeable battery, an external


electrical source is used to rejuvenate the cells to reverse the chemical
reactions. The reversed flow of electrons restores the reactants in the cell.
Rechargeable cells are secondary cells, because they store electricity
that is supplied by an external source.

The most common reactions that are efficient enough to be


used for these types of cells are Nickel Oxide and Cadmium (Ni-Cad).
The reactants are restored, but the electrodes wear out over time.

Pacemaker cells can last from 5-12 years.

Fuel Cells - Fuel cells combine hydrogen and oxygen without


combustion. Electricity, heat and pure water are the only by-products of
the fuel cells reaction. They are 50-85% efficient. World leader in fuel cell
technology is a Canadian company Ballard Power Systems, in Burnaby,
B.C.
ELECTRICAL ENERGY
Examples of Batteries

Carbon Zinc Nickel-Cadmium


flashlights, shavers, laptops,
portable stereos power tools

Alkaline Nickel-Metal Hydride


CD players, cameras, laptops,
walkmans cell phones

Zinc-Air Lead Acid


hearing aids, cars, Motorbikes
watches
ELECTROCHEMICAL PROCESSES &
APPLICATIONS
Electrochemistry - Allesandro Volta made the first practical battery around
1800, by piling zinc and copper plates on top of each other, separating them
with electrolyte-soaked paper discs. Humphrey Davy filled an entire room
with 2000 cells to make one massive battery. His work led to a whole new
field of science called electrochemistry, the study of chemical reactions
involving electricity.

Electrolysis - Smaller batteries were used to split


molecules into their elements, a process called
electrolysis. Many industries use
electrolysis to separate useful elements from solutions.
Chlorine to make drinking water safe. Fuel for the
Space Shuttle (to get pure oxygen and hydrogen
ELECTROCHEMICAL PROCESSES &
APPLICATIONS
Electroplating - Silver and Gold plating can make jewelry
and other attractive items look very expensive. The thin
coating (which is usually stronger than the original element) is
produced through a process called electroplating. This
process is often used to protect the metal from corrosion.
Electroplating is also used to help prevent rusting of
metals exposed to the elements in the environment.

Anodizing is a process that coats aluminum parts


with a layer of aluminum oxide, which is much harder
than aluminum. It is used in products such as screen
doors, airplanes, car parts, kitchenware and jewelry.

Electro-refining is used to remove impurities from metal.


Another process used by automobile companies
bonds special paints onto car parts.
ENERGY FORMS
The scientific definition of energy is the ability to do work. Energy is found
in many forms. The four most common forms of energy are:

Chemical - potential or stored energy stored in


chemicals, released when the chemicals
react.

Electrical - energy of charged particles,


transferred when they travel from place to place.

Mechanical - energy possessed by an object


because of its motion or its potential to move.

Thermal - kinetic energy of a substance,


relative to the heat energy of the particles
ENERGY CONVERSIONS
As energy can be converted from one form to another - measuring energy
inputs and energy outputs allows you to calculate the efficiency of devices
and systems. This will be dealt with in-depth at a later time.

Biological Electricity
Certain animals like the electric eel, can produce electric shock, to kill or stun
prey. They have a special organ that contains specialized muscle cells called
electroplaques. Each cell produces a small amount of electricity. When all the
cells work together, a large amount of electricity is produce and used to help
the eel survive.

Heat to Electricity
A thermocouple is a device that can convert thermal energy into electrical
energy. It consists of two different metals (bimetal) joined together that
conduct heat at slightly different rates. When heated, the difference in
conduction results in electricity flowing from one metal to the other. The
basic principle of the thermocouple was discovered by Thomas Johann
Seebeck in 1821, and was named the Seebeck Effect.

Thermocouples are useful for measuring temperatures


in areas that are difficult to access or too hot for a
regular liquid-filled thermometer.
ENERGY CONVERSIONS
Light to Electricity
Solar panels, containing photovoltaic cells can convert light into electrical
energy.
The photovoltaic (PV) cells, or solar cells, are made of
semiconductor materials, such as silicon. When
light is present, the material, breaking electrons loose allowing
them to flow freely, absorbs some. This current is drawn off by
metal contacts on the top and bottom of the cell and then used in
devices such as calculators, heater, or emergency telephones.
Individual solar cells are combined in modules, to form arrays
to produce larger amounts of electric current.

Motion to Electricity
A barbeque spark lighter uses the piezoelectric effect in reverse.

When a crystal or Rochelle salt is compressed or pulled, a potential


difference is built up on the opposite sides of the crystal. Conductors then
take this through a circuit to produce electric energy (a spark).
ENERGY CONVERSIONS
Electricity to Heat
Ovens and heaters do the opposite. They convert electrical energy into
thermal energy. A thermo-electric generator is a device based on a
thermocouple that converts heat directly into electricity without moving
parts.

Several thermocouples connected in a series is called a thermopile.


Thermopiles are extremely reliable, low-maintenance devices and are often
used in remote locations for emergency power generation.
ENERGY CONVERSIONS
Electricity to Light
An incandescent resistance filament (load) glows white-hot when electricity
is passed through it. In fluorescent tubes a gas glows brightly and when
crystals are struck together they can produce light.

LEDs (light-emitting diodes) are solidstate components


that use a fraction of the power.

Electricity to Motion The piezoelectric effect produces sound by


converting electricity into motion (vibrations). When
a piezoelectric crystal, such as quartz, or Rochelle salt is
connected to a potential difference, the crystal expands
or contracts slightly. Material touching the crystal
experiences pressure, creating sound waves
or vibrations.

Motion to Electricity
The opposite can work to generate electricity by
applying mechanical pressure to the quartz crystal
which will vibrate causing an electric discharge
(spark).
CONDUCTORS & INSULATORS
Electrons are bonded closely to the nuclei
(allowing little movement) in insulators
while in conductors, the electrons are free.
When electricity is added, the electrons
move toward the positive terminal.
Semiconductors are almost perfect conductors - they have almost no
resistance to electron flow. The largest obstacle to making widely available
semi-conductors is to find a way to get the semiconductor to work at
reasonable temperatures for everyday practical applications.
A gas can act as a conductor in the same way as a wire. It conducts the
flow of charged electrons from the negative terminal to the positive
terminal. Gases usually insulate, but some gas atoms can be excited by
electricity and they can act as conductors, including:
Neon - gives a orange-pink light
Neon and argon - give a purple light
Helium - gives a yellowish-white light

Neon signs have electrical technology applications: First, electricity must travel all the
way through the tube in order for the gas to glow. Second, The sign has to have a
control to turn it off and on. Third, the sign must be safe
A RESISTANCE
special type of conductor, called a resistor allows electrons to flow, but
provides some resistance. Resistance is a measure of how difficult it is for
the electrons to flow through a conductor. It is measured in ohms.

The more resistance a substance has, the greater


the energy gain it receives from the electrons
that
pass through it. The energy gain is evident in
heat
and light energy (light bulb filament, wire in a
toaster).

A switch is a device that allows the flow of electrons or stops the flow. When
the switch is open, the is no flow, because there is a gap in the conductor.
When the switch is closed, the switch becomes the 'gap replacement' and
allows the flow of electrons to continue.

To change the electron flow gradually, a variable resistor,


or rheostat is used (a dimmer switch, volume control knob).

Solutions can also be resistors. 'Lie detectors' are also special applications of
resistance within the body (skin resistance, blood pressure and respiration).
An increase in stress (usually associated with a lie) will improve conductivity
and show a 'peak' in the recording device.
MODELLING ELECTRICITY
Voltage - A waterfall is used, as a model, to demonstrate
voltage. Water flows when there is a change in
the gravitational potential energy (elevation).
Electricity will not flow unless there is a change in electrical
potential (voltage).

Resistance and Current


Flow of water in pipes is used, as a model, to demonstrate resistance.
The size of pipe determines the volume of water allowed through it.
The amount of resistance, in a circuit, determines the size of the current.

Ohm's Law
Georg Simon Ohm, a mathematician, proved a link between voltage (V),
current (I) and resistance (R). The unit of resistance was named after him,
the ohm.
Ohm's Law states:
as long as temperature stays the same
the resistance of a conductor stays constant,
and the current is directly proportional to the voltage applied
R=V/I
Applying Ohm's Law
If the temperature of a resistor changes, the resistance changes as well
(resistance is usually low when the resistor is cool, and as the temperature
increases, so does resistance).
MEASURING ELECTRICITY
Voltmeters measure voltage difference (voltage drop).
Ammeters measure current (rate of flow) in amperes.
Small currents are measured using galvanometers.

Multimeters can measure voltage, current


and resistance in a circuit.

Types of Resistors
Different resistors are used for different
applications,
especially in electronics. There are many styles,
sizes and shapes. The two most common are the
wire-wound and carbon-composition types.
ELECTRIC CIRCUITS
Engineers and designers of electrical circuits use symbols to identify
components and connections. A drawing made with these symbols is called
a schematic or schematic diagram.

Basic
Electrical
Circuit
Symbols

All circuit diagrams have four basic parts:


energy sources - provides energy and a supply of electrons for
the circuit
conductors - provides a path for the current
switching mechanisms - controls the current flow, turning it off
and on, or directing it to different parts of the
circuit
loads - converts electrical energy into another form of energy
ELECTRIC CIRCUITS
Series Circuits Parallel Circuits
provide only one path provide multiple pathways.
for the current to flow

House Wiring - uses parallel circuits

Microcircuits (Integrated Circuits) - transistors are used with three layers


of specially treated silicon, with the middle layer (receiving a small voltage,
allowing it to control the voltage in the outer layers, allowing them to act as
switches. Microcircuits are made up of transistors and resistors and are
built on an extremely small scale.

Integrated circuits put all of the


components in one chip,
reducing the size of the circuit.
ELECTRIC Hans
MOTORS
Christian Oersted found that a current could
create a magnetic field around a wire. Deflection
of a compass needle using electrical current showed
that there is a relationship between electricity and
magnetism.

By discovering electromagnetic induction


in 1831 Michael Faraday was able to construct the first motor.
While moving a conducting wire through a magnetic field
-moving it back and forth through the field
Faraday created the first electricity-producing generator, which could
generate electrical current. By coiling (copper) wire around a (iron) metal
core a strong electromagnet can be made. When attached to an electrical
source it will produce a strong magnetic field. To keep this electromagnet
spinning in a magnetic field, the direction that the current is traveling through
the coil must be switched. This is accomplished by with a gap, which allows
the polarity of the electromagnet change just before it aligns with the
permanent magnet. Many electric motors use a commutator (a split ring
that breaks the flow of electricity for a moment and then reverses the flow in
the coil, when the contact is broken, so is the magnetic field) and brushes
(contact points with the commutator) to reverse the flow of electricity through
the magnetic field. The armature (the rotating shaft with the coil wrapped
around it) continues to spin because of momentum, allowing the brushes to
come into contact once again with the commutator.
ELECTRIC MOTORS
Analogy
Turning a steering wheel is similar to turning the armature in a motor. At some
point you have to release the wheel and start again. This is what the
commutator allows the armature to do.

Direct and Alternating Current


Some motors run on direct current (DC). It is 'direct', because the electricity
flows in only one direction. Alternating current (AC) flows back and forth 60
times per second.

Generating DC and AC
A DC generator is much the same as a DC motor. The spinning armature
produces the electricity (if electricity is passed through a DC generator, it will
spin like a motor). The central axle of an AC generator has a loop of wire
attached to two slip rings. The current is switched as the loops move up and
down alternatively through the magnetic field. The slip rings conduct the
alternating current to the circuit through the brushes (the brush and ring
assembly allows the whole loop to spin freely). In large AC generators many
loops of wire are wrapped around an iron core.
ELECTRIC TRANSFORMERS

Transformers are used to change the amount of voltage with hardly any
energy loss. Voltage change is necessary because the most efficient way to
transmit current over long distances is at high voltage and then reduced
when it reaches its destination, where it will be used.

A step-up transformer increases voltage


(the step-up transformer is used from the electrical generating station to the
transmission lines )

A step-down transformer reduces voltage


(the step-down transformer is used from the transmission lines to the consumers home )
ELECTRIC POWER
Power is the rate at which a device converts energy. The unit of power is
the watt (W), which is equal to 1 joule per second. For an electrical device
the power is the current multiplied by the voltage.

(P) Power in watts (I) current in amperes (V) voltage in volts

P=IxV I=P/V V=P/I

Shortcut _P_
IV

(E) Energy in joules (P) Power in watts (J/s) (t) time in seconds

E=Pxt P=E/t t=E/P

Shortcut _E_
Pt
Energy
The power rating of a device can be used to determine the amount of
energy the device uses. Multiply the power rating by the time the device is
operating.
ELECTRIC POWER
Kilowatt Hours is used as a unit for energy. The energy calculation is the
same, except that hours are substituted for seconds and kilowatts (kW) are
substituted for watts.

Electricity meters measure the energy used in kilowatt hours and then
bills you for every kilowatt hour used.
Law of Conservation of Energy
James Joule

Energy is neither created nor destroyed.


It doesn't appear and then disappear,
but is transformed from one form to another.
The total amount of energy in the universe
always remains constant."

No device is able to be 100% efficient in transforming energy.

Most often, the energy is lost, or dissipated as heat. Mechanical systems also
dissipate energy to their surroundings, but not as obvious as the heat loss.
Much of the dissipated energy is sound.
EFFICIENCY
The efficiency of a device is the ratio of the useful energy that comes out of
a device to the total energy that went in. The more input energy converted to
output energy, the more efficient the device is.

% Efficiency = Joules of useful output x 100%


Joules of input energy

Most of the energy transformed in a light bulb is wasted as heat.


(5% is light energy, while 95% is heat)

Florescent lights are about 4x more efficient than incandescent


lights.

Arc-discharge lights are even more efficient


(streetlights)

Hybrid gasoline-electric vehicles are more efficient than gas-powered


vehicles. By comparing efficiencies of devices, the energy cost and their
environmental impact can be determined.
EFFICIENCY
Reducing the Energy Wasted by Devices
Devices, which have an energy-efficient design, are an important
consideration for the consumer, because these devices use less electricity.
Energy costs money and it also affects the environment, so reducing energy
consumption is a good practice.

Limits to Efficiency
Electric heater come very close to being 100% efficient, but devices, which
convert electricity to other forms, can never be 100% efficient. Some energy
is lost, or dissipated in a form that is not useful output. Friction causes
thermal energy to be lost, or dissipated in many devices.

Increasing Efficiency
Increasing the efficiency of a device depends on its purpose. The easiest way
to increase efficiency in many devices is to reduce friction, as much as
possible. Insulating a device from heat loss is also another practical way to
increase efficiency. Using capacitors in electrical circuits is also another way
to increase efficiency.
EFFICIENCY
EXAMPLES OF EFFICIENCY:
How efficient is an automobile? In other words, how much of the energy in the gasoline
results in kinetic energy or energy of motion of the automobile?
12% if well maintained, 8-10% if not maintained
Of the 20 gallons you of gasoline you put in your car, how much actually moves the

car to your destination?


1.6 - 2.4 gallons (the rest is transformed to waste heat and noise)
How efficient is a coal-fired power plant? - transformation by steam turbine: 30-
40%
How efficient is a hydroelectric plant? - transformation by water driven turbine: 80%
(because there is no steam conversion involved)
How efficient is a nuclear plant? - The nuclear reaction is 90% efficient, however
the same combustion process (steam turbines) is used to generate electricity as with the
coal-fired plant, so the net efficiency: 30-40% efficient
How efficient is the human body? - conversion of the energy in the food to muscular
movement
and other kinds of work: 20% efficient
ELECTRICAL ENERGY SOURCES
The burning of fossil fuels (oil, coal, or natural gas) generates 65% of
electric power.
ELECTRICAL ENERGY SOURCES
Using Heat to Generate Electricity

Coal is mined, crushed into a powder, blown into a combustion chamber and
burned to release heat. This heat boils water and superheats the resulting
steam to a high
temperature and pressure, which then turns a turbine. The turbine shaft
rotates large electromagnetic coils in the generator to produce electricity.

In a nuclear reactor, atoms of a heavy element, usually uranium, are split


(nuclear fission) in a chain reaction, which releases an enormous amount of
energy.

Heat from the Earth's core can also be used to generate electricity. This
geothermal energy (hot water and steam) is channeled through pipes to
drive turbines - connected to generators, which produce the electricity.

Biomass is another type of fuel used to generate electricity. The gases


produced from the decomposition of garbage in landfills can be used as fuel
for stem-driven generators.
ELECTRICAL ENERGY SOURCES
Waste heat from many industrial processes is used to produce steam
generated electrical power.
ELECTRICAL ENERGY SOURCES

Using Water to Generate Electricity


Hydro-electric power plants generate 20% of the world's electricity.

Gravitational energy
is transformed into
electrical energy.
ELECTRIC ENERGY - ALTERNATIVE SOURCES
Tides - moving water can power turbines, which then run generators.
When the tide comes in, the water is trapped in large reservoirs and
then allowed to flow out past turbines.

Wind - this energy is harnessed by large propeller-type


blades, which turn a shaft - connected to a generator.

Sunlight - Solar cells (made from silicon) enable the


energy from the sun to be transformed (photoelectric effect)
into electricity.

Batteries - from small portable batteries to rechargeable


and most recently to the fuel cells all provide an electrical
source by using chemical reactions within the cells.
ENERGY & The ENVIRONMENT
Coal is a non-renewable energy resource (it cannot be replaced, as it is
used up). Other fossil fuels are non-renewable as well.
The burning of fossil fuels to generate electricity releases:
Fly ash, from the burning of coal, is carried up the smokestack
and released into the atmosphere.
Sulfur Dioxide (SO) - causes acid rain
Nitrogen oxides (NO) - causes air pollution
Carbon dioxide (CO) - is the cause of global warming.
Strip-mining techniques removes all plants and animals from large areas of
land - habitat and species destruction.
Oil and Gas wells can often give off poisonous gases.
Steam turbines often release warm water into nearby lakes and rivers
thermal pollution
Mines and refineries produce nuclear fuel and radioactive waste.
Dams, wind farms and solar cell arrays destroy large areas of ecological
habitat.
Tidal power plants disrupt fish habitat and other marine life.
ENERGY & The ENVIRONMENT
Energy Source Environmental Impact
Oil, Petroleum > Refining and consuming produce air, water, and solid waste pollutants
Natural Gas > Produces fewer pollutants than oil and coal, and less CO2
Coal > Produces CO2 and other air, water and solid waste pollutants
Biomass > Burning emits CO2 and other pollutants
Wood and organic Possible toxic byproducts from societal waste
waste including Loss of habitat when trees harvested, unless sustainable tree farms
societal waste
Hydro-electric > Destruction of farmlands, dislocation of people, loss of habitat, alteration of
stream flows
Solar Power > Technology is in use for remote applications and non-centralized uses where it
(photo-cells) is economically competitive with alternatives
(solar thermal) Unlimited resource that is clean, efficient, safe, and renewable
Geo-thermal > Disrupts natural geyser activity
Wind Power > Aesthetic issues, needs lots of land, and possible bird impacts
Nuclear Fission > Byproduct is highly radioactive and highly toxic
Produces radioactive wastes that have a long lifetime
Disposal solution complex technically and politically
Safety issues in terms of operating a facility with the potential to release
radiation to the atmosphere
Public perception problem in terms of radiation, etc.
Nuclear Fusion > Possibility high for water pollution because of radioactivity
SUSTAINABILITY
Sustainability means using resources at a rate that can be maintained
indefinitely. If sustainability is not achieved, future generations will suffer. A
sustainable approach often means a different way of getting what you want.
Personal decisions can affect sustainability, even if it seems like its only on a
small scale. More technology means more resources are needed to
manufacture and operate them, making sustainability more difficult to
achieve.

Renewable resources can be replenished over and over again. These types
of resources include; wind energy, solar energy, tidal energy, biomass energy,
geothermal energy. Tree harvesting can also be renewed, but it takes a much
longer period of time to renew this resource.

Conserving Energy and Nonrenewable Resources


Fossil fuel reserves are decreasing, but with less reliance on these fuels we
will be able to see a decrease in pollution. Conserving energy can be
accomplished a little at a time.
ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGIES - Computers &
Computers
Information revolutionized the way we accomplish many tasks, including
writing, calculations and communications, leading to the digital technology
era.

Electricity and Computers - Lasers, photo-detectors, and electrical pulses


all enable electronic devices to complete the tasks they are made to do. A
computer hard drive - uses electrical pulses to record and transmit
information, by using an aluminum or glass disk, with a thin layer of magnetic
material that spins at 300km/h. The electrical pulses are sent to an arm with
read and write heads, which are magnetic coils that magnetize spots on the
spinning disk.
Reading - magnetic spots induce current in the electromagnetic coil,
reproducing 0's and 1's in the original signal and are sent to the computer's processor.
Writing - electrical signals are responded to from the computer's processor.

Electrical Transmission of Information


Electrical signals from computer to computer throughout the world, makes
the storage and transmission of information compact, easy and cheap.
Concerns include; access, privacy, safety, misleading or false information and
the 'information explosion' has created other storage, handling and access
problems. Search engines may locate some of the information, but they
cannot access everything.
ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGIES - NASA Spinoffs
Computer-based scheduling system that uses artificial intelligence to
manage thousands of overlapping activities.

Memory Short Stack, a three-dimensional semiconductor package in which


dozens of integrated circuits are stacked one atop another to form a cube,
offering faster computer processing speeds, higher levels of integration, lower
power requirements than conventional chip sets, and dramatic reduction in
the size and weight of memory-intensive systems, such as medical imaging
devices.

Software program that provides countless people with Internet access


otherwise beyond their grasp, optimized for organizations that have direct
Internet access.

Virtual reality, allowing a user, with assistance from advanced technology


devices, to figuratively project oneself into a computer-generated
environment, matching the user's head motion, and, when coupled with a
stereo viewing device and appropriate software, creates a telepresence
experience.

Other spinoffs, including: Advanced keyboards, Laser Surveying, Aircraft


controls, Lightweight Compact Disc, Expert System Software,
Microcomputers, and Design Graphics.
ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGIES - Benefits

Benefits - Electrical technologies have improved our standard of living. Most


improvements have come as a result of a desire to improve speed, efficiency
or convenience.
ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGIES - Drawbacks

More technology means more resources are needed to manufacture and


operate them, making sustainability more difficult to achieve.

As technology advances, obsolete devices become waste,


adding to our problems of waste disposal.

Recycling helps reduce the disposal problem,


but energy is required for the recycling process,
so more electrical energy needs to be produced.

Some technologies are too expensive


for some countries to use or adopt,
leading to isolation and exclusion.

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